"Players that for many years were discarded because they were too small and highly technical.

"He is performing consistently and making up to 100 passes a game which is phenomenal for a player at this level."

Britton first joined Swansea on a season-long loan in December 2002 - on the advice of fellow West Ham academy graduate and current England international Frank Lampard - when the Welsh club were in the bottom division.

And the London-born player signed permanently in the summer of 2003 following his release from West Ham and after Swansea had escaped relegation to the non-league on the final day of the 2002-03 season.

Britton, who had a six-month spell at Sheffield United between August 2010 and January 2011, has played in all of the divisions with Swansea in their rise to the Premier League.

"I never dreamed I would be playing in the Premier League with Swansea when I made my debut at Exeter," said Britton.

"The club and I have improved over the years. It has taken a while to get here and at 29 I have finally got my chance in the Premier League.

"I want to make up for lost time so I want to keep fit, live my life right and spend as much time in the Premier League with Swansea as I can."